Multiple login instant messaging

Abstract

Mechanisms are provided for allowing users to log into an IM provider from multiple clients concurrently. The messages are recorded and messages from the same users originating form multiple clients are differentiated. The user may then follow the IM session from any client device from which the user has logged into the IM provider. Also, when logging into a new client device in a session, the user is provided a history of the IM session.

1. A method, within a proxy server disposed between a first user and an instant message provider, the method comprising:
 engaging in a first instant messaging session with a first client device associated with the first user; 
 engaging in a second instant messaging session with a second client device associated with the first user; 
 wherein each of the first client device and the second client device respectively engage in the first and second instant messaging sessions using a unique alias; and 
 recording an instant messaging history of the first and second instant messaging sessions in a common history; and 
 engaging in a third instant messaging session with the instant message provider, wherein messages from both the first and second instant messaging sessions are forwarded, within the third instant messaging session, to the instant message provider under a same user name. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 responsive to receiving a message from a second user to the first user, forwarding the message to the first client device and the second client device. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 sending a message from the first user to a second user, using the third instant messaging session, with an indicia identifying a source client device of the first user for the message. 
 
     
     
       4. A proxy server, comprising:
 at least one processor, the at least one processor configured to perform the operations of: 
 engaging in a first instant messaging session with a first client device associated with a first user; 
 engaging in a second instant messaging session with a second client device associated with the first user; and 
 wherein each of the first client device and the second client device respectively engage in the first and second instant messaging sessions using a unique alias; 
 recording an instant messaging history of the first and second instant messaging sessions in a common history; and 
 engaging in a third instant messaging session with an instant message provider, wherein messages from both the first and second instant messaging sessions are forwarded, within the third instant messaging session, to the instant message provider under a same user name. 
 
     
     
       5. The proxy server of  claim 4 , wherein
 the at least one processor is further configured to perform responsive to receiving a message from a second user to the first user, forwarding the message to the first client device and the second client device. 
 
     
     
       6. The proxy server of  claim 4 , wherein
 the at least one processor is further configured to perform sending a message from the first user to a second user, using the third instant messaging session, with an indicia identifying a source client device of the first user for the message. 
 
     
     
       7. A computer program product including a computer-readable storage memory having computer-readable program code stored thereon, the computer-readable program code, when executed by a proxy server system, causing the proxy server system to perform:
 engaging in a first instant messaging session with a first client device associated with a first user; 
 engaging in a second instant messaging session with a second client device associated with the first user; 
 wherein each of the first client device and the second client device respectively engage in the first and second instant messaging sessions using a unique alias; 
 recording an instant messaging history of the first and second instant messaging sessions in a common history; and 
 engaging in a third instant messaging session with an instant message provider, wherein messages from both the first and second instant messaging sessions are forwarded, within the third instant messaging session, to the instant message provider under a same user name. 
 
     
     
       8. The computer program product of  claim 7 , further comprising
 responsive to receiving a message from a second user to the first user, forwarding the message to the first client device and the second client device. 
 
     
     
       9. The computer program product of  claim 7 , further comprising
 sending a message from the first user to a second user, using the third instant messaging session, with an indicia identifying a source client device of the first user for the message.